Excitement!

Brittany just got her invitation today! Well, of course she's still waiting for the packet to come in the mail, but her PO emailed her she was invited!!! I'm so excited, so you can just vaguely imagine the excitement she's feeling!

The funny thing is that a few days ago, I said "Brittany, the reason the reason you haven't gotten it yet is because your PO is planning to invite you the day I get my letter!"

Today, I got my letter.

Today, Brittany got invited.

Awesome!

Goals

So right now, I'm planning to reapply in August. Looking at everything right now, IF they let me get a nomination, I don't plan on it being until next summer or later (tho my availability date will be 1-10-09). In the mean time, I will either (a) stay here for an extra amount of time, or (b) apply to one of 2 programs to work with youth/orphanages/tefl in Africa for several months during the application process. I hope PC works out, otherwise, I dunno where I am? Maybe here longer.

Doing what I can to get more & more experience. Obviously, I'm here so that's big experience. Might get 2 more small TEFL certificates (Youth & Business) using the same company I did last time. Starting Tuesday, I'll be volunteering with an organization who helps sick children. Looking for other things too. Maybe 1st Aid/CPR?

Send Some Love

A child from my hometown in Indiana has a condition with his brain called AVM, his parents have set him up a Caring Bridge website, and described his condition here:

Since he has been at Riley, they determined that the cause of the bleeding is a congential (at birth) brain problem called an AVM (Arteriovenous Malformation). Basically, the bloodvessels are in a tangle in a certain area of the brain and the built up pressure finally caused them to bleed.

He is currently in Phoenix to receive his second brain surgery....second brain surgery and he is just a 6th grader! 

What you can do is go to Andrew's website and help the parents reach their goal of sending messages to him through the guestbook & send optional donations. Also, if you have a blog, twitter, facebook, or even e-mail your friends/family.....you could give this link and information to spread the word through networking to help his parents achieve their goal & bring Andrew a little cheer through the messages.

PC PSA

Sara posted a Peace Corps public service announcement on her blog, and it made me remember a coulple of the ones that I particularly like. And also, just because I like to copy her I thought I'd show them!

Support

Cool Barak Support the PC vid someone made

Woa--Flashback!

I was going through my old application tonight (did you know you could still access it as long as it is still active? yep!) And there was one thing that definitely struck me as a "what on earth was I thinking" moment! Haha! No no no, I didn't lie, cheat, or elaborate. Absolutely not! It was about my preferences! Haha!

Under Job Preferences, I cited in order: Education, Health, & Business.

Now, Education and Health I've always been interested in, but...BUSINESS!? Please understand that business is the bane of my existance, so why on earth would I have marked that!? Who knows! That just seems like insanity to me. 

If I had to do it again, I'd mark, in order: Education, Community (which Youth falls under), & Health.

Neat Stamp

Found this neat stamp online--pretty cool, eh?

Peace Corps = Important = HELP!

I came across this article by a FSU professor. I thought at first I'd skim it quickly over, but found myself reading it--very captivated. He talks about the importance for Peace Corps, the number of volunteers, and how many countries desperately need more volunteers--or just flat out need volunteers.

Rebuilding the Peace Corps

Enjoy it! Makes a lot of good points!